Whether you’re a new pool owner or have owned one for years, proper pool maintenance ensures your inground pool remains a sparkling oasis, extends its lifespan, and minimizes costly repairs. If you’re a fiberglass pool owner, you probably have heard that fiberglass pools are the lower maintenance option among pool types. However, lower maintenance does not mean no maintenance. The following tips can help you avoid the common mistakes people make when caring for their inground pool.
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Failing to monitor water chemistry regularly is one of the most common—and most costly—mistakes pool owners make. The water may look crystal clear, but that doesn’t mean it’s maintained properly. Poor water chemistry and balance can silently cause scaling, chalking, and permanent damage to your fiberglass pool’s surface.
With fiberglass, focus on the chemistry that matters most:
Maintain pH between 7.2–7.4
Keep calcium hardness below 120 ppm (If above 120 ppm, must use a chelating stain/metal and scale control product.)
Chlorine should stay between 1–3 ppm
Use a stain and scale control product consistently
Rather than relying solely on LSI, which was developed with concrete pools in mind, fiberglass pool care is about tight control of a few core values. By carefully managing calcium levels and avoiding high pH —especially in salt pools—you’ll help preserve the beauty of your gelcoat finish for the long term.
Use a high-quality test kit for the best results, or have your water tested professionally. Just be sure to bring water samples in promptly—heat or delay (sitting in a car all day) can alter results.
For the most information on recommendations, refer to our Fiberglass Pool Care Guide and Owner’s Manual, where we outline specific ranges and which chemicals to avoid.
Many pool owners start the season off by backwashing their filters once per week. As the season progresses, they often aren’t as dedicated to it. Your filter plays an essential role in the continued enjoyment of your pool, and proper backwashing can reduce your pool maintenance costs in the long run. Some reasons you should backwash regularly include the following.
A clean, efficient filter system improves overall water quality—and helps keep your pool water looking and feeling great.
Maintaining the water level at the midpoint of the skimmer opening allows your pool’s systems to operate correctly. The skimmer is designed to pull debris from the pool’s surface before it sinks to the bottom of the pool, becoming harder to remove. If the water level is too high, the skimmer door may not work correctly, reducing its efficiency at collecting surface debris. If the water is too low, the skimmer may suck in air, which can lead to airlocks or damage the pool pump by causing it to run dry.
The proper water level also provides balanced circulation. The pool pump must pull water through the skimmer for filtration and chemical treatment. Maintaining the correct level helps ensure that the water circulates properly, distributes chemicals evenly, and keeps the temperature consistent throughout.
In fiberglass pools, maintaining proper water level is also critical to prevent structural stress. Extremely low water levels can lead to wall bulging, or even floating due to groundwater pressure, which is why most manufacture’s warranty is voided when the water level is dropped below the skimmer.
Protect your pool’s structure by checking and maintaining your water level consistently.
Not all chemicals and tools are safe for fiberglass pools. Using the wrong products can lead to staining, discoloration, and surface damage.
Keep a regular pool maintenance schedule. As with many things in life, consistency is vital. Developing a regular, thorough, and routine maintenance schedule helps keep your pool in tip-top shape. Above all, the most significant maintenance mistake is not doing maintenance.